'Surreal and unbelievable.' 2026 Kentucky Derby is unforgettable for many

From free bourbon balls at the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport to the bus driver doubling as an Abraham Lincoln lookalike, Derby-goers got a good Kentucky welcome before the Churchill Downs gates even opened May 2.

It’s the little things on the way to "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports," like the “beautiful bluegrass” seen while heading to the 152nd Kentucky Derby.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Anthony Roach of Dallas, Texas, said. “It’s beautiful.”

Roach got into the Kentucky theme for this lifetime “bucket list item” with an all-white suit and black draping tie resembling Colonel Sanders. He paired the outfit, which drew plenty of compliments, with Louis Vuitton sunglasses.

Sydney Scott of Pennsylvania arrives as one of the first race fans through the gates for the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2026.

A woman walks through the stands during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. on May 2, 2026.

Angelo Tamburrino walks past the tunnel to his seat during the152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. on May 2, 2026.

Fans enter through the gates during the152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. on May 2, 2026.

A man takes a photo of a mint julep during the152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. on May 2, 2026.

Fans enter through the gates during the152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. on May 2, 2026.

Fans enter through the gates during the152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. on May 2, 2026.

A man walks up to a betting kiosk during the152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. on May 2, 2026.

Fans enter through the gates during the152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. on May 2, 2026.

People line up at the 152nd Kentucky Derby in Louisville on Saturday, May 2, 2026.

Bruce Asmussen of Iowa arrives in style at the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2026.

Monique Wilthrow places roses around their seating area at the 152nd Kentucky Derby in Louisville on Saturday, May 2, 2026.

Kelly and Sean Reed pose for photos in front of the Aristides statue during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2026.

Richard Burke and Angela Burke walk around in period garb at the 152nd Kentucky Derby in Louisville on Saturday, May 2, 2026.

Laine Dyson of Louisiana wears a self-decorated butterfly-themed hat to the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2026.

John Kelly of Billings, Montana, arrives at the paddock after the gates open for the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2026.

Eric and Sage Payton of Texas pose for a photo in front of the Aristides statue during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2026.

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See all the Kentucky Derby 2026 fashion, fun from Churchill Downs

Sydney Scott of Pennsylvania arrives as one of the first race fans through the gates for the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2026.

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See all the Kentucky Derby 2026 fashion, fun from Churchill Downs

Sydney Scott of Pennsylvania arrives as one of the first race fans through the gates for the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2026.

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See all the Kentucky Derby 2026 fashion, fun from Churchill Downs

A woman walks through the stands during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. on May 2, 2026.

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See all the Kentucky Derby 2026 fashion, fun from Churchill Downs

Angelo Tamburrino walks past the tunnel to his seat during the152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. on May 2, 2026.

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See all the Kentucky Derby 2026 fashion, fun from Churchill Downs

Fans enter through the gates during the152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. on May 2, 2026.

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See all the Kentucky Derby 2026 fashion, fun from Churchill Downs

A man takes a photo of a mint julep during the152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. on May 2, 2026.

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See all the Kentucky Derby 2026 fashion, fun from Churchill Downs

Fans enter through the gates during the152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. on May 2, 2026.

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See all the Kentucky Derby 2026 fashion, fun from Churchill Downs

Fans enter through the gates during the152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. on May 2, 2026.

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See all the Kentucky Derby 2026 fashion, fun from Churchill Downs

A man walks up to a betting kiosk during the152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. on May 2, 2026.

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See all the Kentucky Derby 2026 fashion, fun from Churchill Downs

Fans enter through the gates during the152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. on May 2, 2026.

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See all the Kentucky Derby 2026 fashion, fun from Churchill Downs

People line up at the 152nd Kentucky Derby in Louisville on Saturday, May 2, 2026.

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See all the Kentucky Derby 2026 fashion, fun from Churchill Downs

Bruce Asmussen of Iowa arrives in style at the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2026.

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See all the Kentucky Derby 2026 fashion, fun from Churchill Downs

Monique Wilthrow places roses around their seating area at the 152nd Kentucky Derby in Louisville on Saturday, May 2, 2026.

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See all the Kentucky Derby 2026 fashion, fun from Churchill Downs

Kelly and Sean Reed pose for photos in front of the Aristides statue during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2026.

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See all the Kentucky Derby 2026 fashion, fun from Churchill Downs

Richard Burke and Angela Burke walk around in period garb at the 152nd Kentucky Derby in Louisville on Saturday, May 2, 2026.

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See all the Kentucky Derby 2026 fashion, fun from Churchill Downs

Laine Dyson of Louisiana wears a self-decorated butterfly-themed hat to the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2026.

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See all the Kentucky Derby 2026 fashion, fun from Churchill Downs

John Kelly of Billings, Montana, arrives at the paddock after the gates open for the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2026.

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See all the Kentucky Derby 2026 fashion, fun from Churchill Downs

Eric and Sage Payton of Texas pose for a photo in front of the Aristides statue during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2026.

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“I just want to do something different than everybody else,” Roach, who planned to bet on So Happy or Commandment in the Kentucky Derby, said. “I don't want to blend in.”

Neither did Bruce Asmussen, who dressed in a red, white and blue onesie and white fur coat, and brought his “Uncle Freedom” character to Derby day, after debuting the look for the Super Bowl, UFC fights and a Jelly Roll concert, where Asmussen said the country star noticed him in the crowd.

Bruce Asmussen of Iowa arrives in style at the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2026.

His outfit paired well with America's ongoing 250th anniversary. And if you're going to celebrate how Kentucky stands out in this country, nowhere else shines the state's spotlight brighter than this place and this historic horse race.

“Whether you’re a Republican, Democrat or whatever we're fighting about on social media,” Asmussen, who lives in Iowa, said. “In the real world, I don't think that happens. It’s awesome here. People are awesome.”

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Minutes after arriving to Churchill Downs on May 2, Asmussen couldn’t walk a few steps without remarks from fellow attendees, of which about 150,000 were expected. Last year, 147,406 people attended the Kentucky Derby and 156,710 were in the house in 2024.

“Can I take a picture of the best dressed man here?” asked Susie Schneider, a Louisville native who has attended the Kentucky Derby since the age of 16.

Laurie and Glen Bynum from Augusta Georgia elope outside of the paddock gates ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2, 2026. "He asked me 'Do you want to get married at Derby?' And I said 'Yeah!'"

Schneider, who will turn 81 in June and wore colorful horse earrings, then posed next to Asmussen.

“I've come so much that it’s a tradition,” said Schneider, who moved to Texas a few years ago with her husband, Robert. “I like to win. And I do pretty good.”

The 152nd Kentucky Derby marked a "dream" come true even for celebrities like pitmaster Rodney Scott, a James Beard Award winner from Hemingway, South Carolina. Scott debuted the new Trackside Smokehouse outside the Paddock Plaza during the 2026 Derby weekend.

From left, Mckenna Wojcicki, Julie Wojcicki and Rachel Wojcicki of Michigan pose for photos in the L’Oréal Paris booth during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2026.

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“As a child, I saw it on this little black and white TV and all these horses were racing and all these people were in these nice big hats,” Scott told The Courier Journal. “I was like, man, that looks like fun. I'd love to see a horse race. And, a lifetime later, I get a chance to experience it myself."

That "vivid memory" from the age of 9 hasn't left Scott's side. During a meet-and-greet with fans of his barbecue and Food Network appearances, Scott helped hand out plates of pulled pork, collard greens, chicken wings and cornbread.

"It's surreal and unbelievable," Scott said of attending his first Derby. "It's like, 'You get to do Derby.' I don't even know that they make words for it."

Cason Grisham of Dallas wore a fascinator made by her mother for the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. The Texas native has been coming to the Kentucky Derby and Oaks since she was a young girl. May 1, 2026

Scott, who hasn't spent much time in Kentucky in the past, said he was also looking forward to seeing horses race on May 2.

“I got the hype when I stepped off the plane," he said. "You felt the energy in the airport. It feels good to say hello to Kentucky and hello to the Derby."

More Kentucky Derby: Here are the celebrities walking the red carpet for Kentucky Derby 2026

The hype trickled to another Louisville-based food star, Nicolee Burks, who went all out with makeup, dress and hat styling for her first-ever Derby on May 2. The owner of Big Nita's Cheesecakes, the popular Butchertown shop, also served her chocolate bourbon turtle treats to sponsors at a Churchill Downs dining area. That's where another dream came true when celebrity chef Bobby Flay sampled her desserts.

"You're never going to believe who just tried our cheesecakes," Burks said to her 76,000 Instagram followers. "It was the best freaking moment of our lives."

Reach food and dining reporter Amanda Hancock at ahancock@courier-journal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky Derby 2026 at Churchill Downs is 'unforgettable' for fans